Comments on: What is the best way to get started home brewing?

By: MINIC

MINIC — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:23:59 +0000

I'll keep this real simple. For under 150 bucks you can get all you need to brew up 5 gallons of great home brew. Just find a local beer supplier in your area and go pick up a starter kit. Think global, drink local. There are many places on line to get started but IMHO you are better to find a local shop so you can start building a relation with a supplier, meet other brewers, find local events happening as well as supporting local. I know you have stated there is not a store in your area. However, is there a micrbrewery near? Talk with the brewer, you may find more help then you asked for. The only thing I can say to you is have fun and make sure you sanitize everything!!! This is the time consuming part and a major cause of bad beer.
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By: oikos

oikos — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:06:59 +0000

Start with the website of Brew Your Own (magazine). Click on "Reader Resources". That will give you links to the advertisers' catalogs. Get a copy of Papazian's book New Complete Guide to Home Brewing. That will tell you what you need in the way of equipment and supplies. You may be able to get good prices on eBay or at flea markets. Remember, however, that shipping costs have to be factored in. One place, Brew By U, I think, offers free shipping on orders over $100. At least they used to. Your first order will go over that easily.
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By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:18:59 +0000

I’d start with the kits. They’ll show up big time around Christmas in box stores, or you can order them off the internet.

They’re not really going to help you become a beermeister, but you’ll learn the basics and what all the parts of the kit are for without pouring money into all the expensive gear. At best you’ll get a mediocre ale and maybe a lager, but it’s a functioning system at a cheap price. Once you get a feel for it, you can better decide to drop cash on a real setup or not.
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By: Hired Help

Hired Help — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:51:59 +0000

http://www.beertown.org/homebrewing/index.html

Thre page from the American Home Brewers Association has many sources for you to choose from. You can find shops, supplies, on line sources, books, everything you can imagine for brewing. Most people begin with a prepared kit. It has all the ingredients you will need to make a batch of brew. You may have a pot to use at home but if not you can buy a stainless steel or enamel canning pot for the boil. Cleaning and sanitation are the most important thiong to do. Do not be upset if your first beer(s) are crap. It may take several tries or the first may be great. Keep notes on what you did (EVERYTHING). If the beer is bad you may then know what you did wrong. If it is good you can make it again.
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By: Dennis M

Dennis M — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:08:59 +0000

There are some cheap home brew kits out there. I have seen them before at Target, larger liquor stores, and various other random (and often times, unexpected places). That’s not a bad way to go. The kit costs like $40 and you’ll get a few batches of beer out of it. I would say look for something cheap to see if you enjoy making your own beer, if you do then step up to the high end stuff (expect to pay $200).

A stop at a local brew shop is always a good bet, but they may only sell high quality kits, or try to get you to go away from anything cheap, assuming you’re going to love brewing your own beer.
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By: Thomas B

Thomas B — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:22:59 +0000

Contact your local home brewing supply store, I would have to believe that there is one nearby you. If not, contact Steinbart’s here in the Portland, Oregon area, they are really good.

Link: http://www.fhsteinbart.com/about.html